Together we’re growing a food resilient region in Wellington where everyone has access to good Kai.

We all want to live in a region where:

  • There are no barriers to accessing healthy food and no one is hungry;

  • Local food is grown and produced in a way which nurtures our environment;

  • We can easily access local food and producers are fairly paid for their beautiful produce;

  • Our communities are encouraged and supported to grow food together to feed whānau and establish meaningful community connection

What is Food System?

A food system includes everything involved in keeping us fed — from growing, harvesting and processing food, to distributing, sharing, eating and recovering it. It connects people, communities, businesses, whenua and the environment.

A strong regional food system helps ensure everyone can access healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate kai. It also supports local growers, creates jobs, strengthens communities and helps protect the natural resources that food production depends on.

At the heart of this work are two important ideas: food security and kai sovereignty. Together, they help create a food system that is fair, resilient and community-led.

  • Kai Security

    Kai security means everyone can consistently access enough safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate kai to support their wellbeing.

    Being food secure means having reliable access to healthy kai that is affordable, accessible and suitable for individual and cultural needs. It also includes access to the resources needed to prepare and store food, such as kitchens, fridges, transport and cooking skills.

    Food insecurity continues to affect many whānau across Aotearoa and can be influenced by factors such as income, food prices, housing, transport and access to local food sources. Building strong local food systems helps communities become more resilient to challenges such as economic pressures, climate impacts and disruptions to global supply chains.

    Kai Sovereignty

    Kai sovereignty goes beyond access to food. It is about communities having a meaningful role in shaping how food is grown, produced, distributed and shared.

    Kai sovereignty supports local decision-making, values those who grow and provide food, and promotes food production practices that work in harmony with nature. It recognises food as fundamental to health, culture, identity and wellbeing rather than simply a commodity.

    Food sovereignty also supports the revitalisation of local knowledge, skills and traditions, strengthens community self-determination and encourages food systems that are environmentally sustainable, socially just and locally controlled.

    Why Both Matter

    Food security and kai sovereignty are closely connected. Food security focuses on ensuring everyone has enough good food. Kai sovereignty focuses on who has control over the food system and how that system operates.

    Together they provide a pathway toward a future where everyone can access healthy food, local food producers are supported, communities are empowered, and the environment is protected for future generations.

What is the Regional Kai Network (RKN)?

The Regional Kai Network (RKN) is a growing network of community organisations, marae, growers, food producers, agencies and individuals working together to create a food-resilient region where everyone has access to good kai.

Founded in 2020, the network brings together people who are passionate about strengthening food security, advancing kai sovereignty, and growing local food solutions that support the wellbeing of people, communities and the environment.

By sharing knowledge, building connections and working collaboratively across the region, RKN helps communities turn local ideas into collective action for a more sustainable, equitable and locally-led food system

  • The Regional Kai Network grew from a series of community food resilience hui held across the Wellington region in 2019 and 2020. These conversations highlighted a shared vision for a future where everyone has access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate kai, and where communities play a stronger role in shaping local food systems. The network was subsequently established to connect and support the many individuals, organisations and initiatives already working towards that vision

    Today, RKN is a region-wide community of more than 130 members representing community organisations, marae, growers, local food initiatives, public agencies and food champions. The network creates opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and collective action around food system issues that affect communities across Wellington, Horowhenua and Wairarapa.

    RKN plays an important role in advocating for food systems thinking across the region. The network was instrumental in championing the inclusion of food systems work within regional planning processes and helped influence the development of the Regional Food System Plan. Through ongoing collaboration, RKN continues to support mahi that strengthens food resilience, builds community capability, supports local food production and distribution, and advances both food security and kai sovereignty.

    Rather than focusing on a single project or organisation, RKN acts as a connector and enabler—bringing together communities, mana whenua, local government, growers and agencies to share resources, learn from one another and collectively shape a healthier food future for the region.

Regional Food System Strategy

The Regional Food System Strategy is a collaborative effort to create a food system that is sustainable, equitable and locally led across the Wellington, Wairarapa and Horowhenua region.

Developed through partnerships between mana whenua, communities, local government, growers, organisations and agencies, the strategy responds to challenges such as population growth, climate change, food insecurity and increasing pressure on local food producers.

Its purpose is to support a future where everyone can access healthy local kai, where communities are more resilient, and where food systems contribute positively to the health of people, the environment and local economies.

  • The Regional Food System Strategy began with a simple question:

    How can we build a food system that works better for our people, communities and environment—both now and for future generations?

    The strategy grew from years of community conversations, local food resilience initiatives and advocacy from the Regional Kai Network. These efforts highlighted the importance of taking a regional approach to food systems, recognising the strong connections between food, health, housing, climate resilience, community wellbeing and economic development

    In 2022, the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee commissioned the development of a Regional Food System Plan to better understand the strengths, challenges and opportunities within the regional food system. Through engagement with mana whenua, community organisations, growers, researchers and stakeholders, a shared vision emerged:

    A sustainable, equitable and locally led food system that centres the wellbeing of people and the environment.

    The work identified five key aspirations for the future of the region's food system:

    • Food systems reflect the rights, leadership and aspirations of mana whenua.

    • Everyone has the knowledge and opportunity to access healthy local food.

    • Food production supports healthy soils, water, ecosystems and climate outcomes.

    • The local food sector is resilient, connected and economically viable.

    • More food is produced, distributed and consumed within the region.

    The strategy continues to bring together communities, iwi, councils, growers and organisations to explore practical actions that strengthen local food systems, support food security and kai sovereignty, increase regional resilience and create opportunities for future generations. Rather than being a single project, it represents an ongoing regional commitment to building a healthier and more connected food future.

Resilient Food Supply Chain

A resilient food supply chain is one which is localised and connected to the people, where farmers use regenerate soil approaches, waste is prevented and recycled, where everyone is engaged and has access to a sustainable and healthy diet at all times.

Sustainable livelihoods

Work in food and farming is fair, safe and secure

Food System networks

Collaboration promotes innovation in the food supply chain
and increases preparedness to respond to shocks

Engaged food citizens

People are engaged in shaping a better food system and help each other during shocks to the food supply

Image credit: The University of Melbourne